Pascal Groß has won the Premier League Player of the Month award for September, and the number that stands out most is his age. At 35 years and three months, he is Brighton's first monthly winner and the sixth-oldest player ever to take the prize. The form itself was strong enough anyway, with five attacking contributions across the month, but the late-career angle is what gives this one more weight.

September's numbers made the case

Groß recorded five attacking contributions in September, split between two goals and three assists. For a monthly award, that is exactly the kind of output that leaves little room for argument, especially when it comes from a midfielder whose game has always leaned heavily on timing, awareness and final-ball quality.

The standout part is that this was not built on one isolated moment. Across five Premier League appearances this season, he has a 7.5 rating, and his September return gave Brighton both goals and control. It also came with a notable display against Arsenal, when he scored and assisted Chema Andrés in a 3-0 win over the reigning champions.

That matters in the right way for a monthly award. This was not a sentimental vote for a veteran still hanging around the top level. Groß had the production to win it on merit.

The age record is what makes it unusual

The first award of his career would have been a good story on its own. Winning it at 35 years and three months is what pushes it into Premier League history.

Brighton have had plenty of strong individual performers in the competition, but none had taken a monthly prize before now. Groß is the club's first winner, and that feels fitting given how long he has been central to so much of their best attacking football.

Fabian Hürzeler, speaking to sportsmole.co.uk, leaned into the age theme when he said: "We spoke about Pascal Gross in my last press conference that you can compare him a little bit with a good wine. The older he gets, the better he is.

“He enjoys himself on the pitch scoring goals. You can really trust him and he makes the teammates around him really better."

That is slightly florid, but the core point lands. Players at 35 are rarely winning this award, and they are even less likely to do it as first-time winners. Groß's September was productive enough to cut through that usual age curve.

Brighton's fast start adds context

There is a small note of caution around the wider table reading, because reports place Brighton third and there is no disagreement offered against that. Even so, the more relevant point here is simpler: Groß's month came while the team were flying, not while he was posting good numbers in a struggling side.

He has also made clear where his focus is. Quoted in German by SPORT1, in comments translated from German, Groß said: "I have already retired. For me, that was it after the World Cup."

That was about Germany, but it also adds a bit of shape to this moment. There is no international subplot, no comeback chase, no distraction from the club season. The award belongs to one month, and to a player still producing at a level most midfielders do not reach at 35.

Brighton also completed a clean sweep of the league's September awards, with Hürzeler taking the manager honour. Groß's trophy is the headline, though, because first-time winners at 35 years and three months do not come around often.

FAQ

Why did Pascal Groß win Premier League Player of the Month for September?

Groß won the award after producing five attacking contributions in September, made up of two goals and three assists. It was the first Premier League Player of the Month award of his career and came during a month that also made him Brighton's first monthly winner.

How old was Pascal Groß when he won the Premier League monthly award?

Groß was 35 years and three months old when he won the September award. That made him the sixth-oldest player to receive Premier League Player of the Month and gave the prize an extra layer beyond the form itself.

What did Fabian Hürzeler say about Pascal Groß after the award?

Fabian Hürzeler said Groß could be compared "a little bit with a good wine" because "The older he gets, the better he is." He also said Groß enjoys himself on the pitch, can be trusted and improves the teammates around him.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →